Streaks

Trad Window Cleaning
1

So on Thursday I completed a storefront job for a new customer. Today Monday they informed me after i reached out to them that they had pictures of giant streaks on windows. I have not seen the pictures yet but I am planning to go out and redo this windows. Some questions i have was on the day i did this it was easily 90 plus and half were in almost direct sunlight so would that have something to do with it?

Also has anyone every had this happen before and what steps have you taken to rectify the situation and make it right?

These windows were extremely dirty so im thinking i should have gone over multiple times. They were mopped than used 0000 wool mopped and squeegee…

2

Yes, direct sunlight will make it difficult but not impossible. I can pull off the two handed technique now which is great for windows that you can reach without a pole. The excelerator would be great on windows you cannot reach on a 2nd floor without using a pole, but you would have to apply quickly or do in sections. On a hot day, if the window is high but I can reach most from the ground without a pole, I will quickly wet only the top 1/3 maybe 1/2 of the glass until I can reach it and use the excelerator quick. Then wet the rest of the glass quickly and finish by hand without the pole.

If you are just not fast at all, do the glass in sections since the water and soap will dry quick. I find a lot of soap makes the solution dry quicker. The fact you mopped, used 0000 wool, mopped again and squeegeed it, tells me you know what you are doing.

However, did you use the 0000 wool on the whole glass then mop the whole glass? If so, have you considered mopping part of the glass, using 0000 wool on just the part you mopped, then only mopping that section again? I would try that if you have not. Otherwise, I don’t have many solutions left that would help you.

3

Also, do you have hard rubber? When I changed from soft rubber, that solved half my problems.

4

Thanks I went back this morning and was able to take care of it. It was a job for outside only so the inside really needs to be taken care of which i spoke to manager about. Also today was overcast but it is a fitness center so as I was cleaning the windows were sweating because of class going on.
We discussed times when I can come and do iy with no class going on.
I believe i have been using soft rubber which it seems alot of people prefer hard rubber so I am going to order some and give that a try.

5

You also may want to consider what you are using in the water. Some cleaners dry fast on hot glass which can cause streaking. We sale some cleaners that have wetting agents that keeps them fro trying up to fast. Also hard rubber is good for hot weather and soft rubber for cold seasons.

1 Like
6

Got to avoid washing in direct sunlight but you can use gel shaving cream as a setting agent too.

7

You should only have evaporation issues on glass that needs a pole. I am assuming that this is the case.
On extremely dirty glass, dealing with evaporation, yes, you will probably be best off washing it twice.
Also, there are times when you just cannot avoid working in direct sunlight, or tinted glass, etc. You NEED an excellerator or an Ettore Backflip (what I personally use). You will not have time to switch from your mop to your squeegee, need a tool that lets you stay up. Even then, you might have to wash portions of the window at a time.
I have never found a difference in rubbers when evaporation is the problem.

8

I don’t know if you are joking, but telling someone to avoid washing in direct sunlight is not helpful at all.

And I have never added shaving cream to my mix. Care to explain?

1 Like
9

The avoid cleaning in the sunshine was a joke but I personally avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. The shaving gel is legit. I met some guys from Vegas back in the early 90’s at the IWCA convention in Orlando and they swore by it. We use it all the time. It works really well and smells good too.

10

Was the solution drying too fast when you were removing it? Could also be that perhaps some of the grime was left behind.

11

Thanks for the suggestions. Im thinking it was a combination of the heat/humidity plus the dirtiness.

My solution is pretty simple using dawn and vinegar.

The second time they cane out better. But again the inside def needs to be done and completed when there is no classes going on…

I also just love having customers that say theres a problem days later after I follow up. Obviously i made sure to go and do another clean to take care of it, which when they said payment for coming out a second time i told them that it’s on me.

Curious how some of you guys/gals would handle that aspect of the situation…

1 Like
12

Sounds like you handled it correctly imo. It can be tough …but as long as you correct any “mistakes” you may have a life long customer there.

13

I have found that just showing back up in a timely manner usually fixes the problem.

14

Absolutely, always go back and sort the problem and the customer will a) see you not a one hit wonder but a professional and b) keep you coming back.